Here at Christ Church we are dedicated to growing Deeper in Discipleship. Spiritually speaking, we can’t offer what we don’t have. How can we be bearers of the word if we aren’t familiar with the word? How can we enrich others in faith if we aren’t taking the necessary steps to be enriched ourselves?
The Sunday morning class schedule that is listed evidences the fact that we take seriously what Jesus said about loving God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. As such, we offer small group Sunday School classes for all ages. Take a look below and prayerfully consider joining one or more of these groups being offered. Are you curious about Christianity? Aren’t sure about faith? Skeptical about the scriptures? Not sure you profess a faith? This is a great place for you!
Christian Formation at Christ United Methodist Church
Sunday School for children and youth will resume on Sunday, September 15th, 2024.
Babies and Toddlers:
Babies and toddlers are not only cared for here, they’re introduced to the Christian faith through music and play.
Nursery: Jamie Laferty (Main Floor, Educational Wing)
At CUMC, nursery care is offered for children from birth to 3 years old. If you are a parent or guardian and plan to make use of nursery care, please enter the church facility as you normally would and an usher manning the double doors to our education wing will direct you to the nursery. Once there, please sign your child in and supply your contact number in the event Jamie needs to reach you. Once returning to the sanctuary, if you are to be seated on the main level, please request that an usher seat you on the aisle end of a pew for ease of moving in and out if needed.
Children and Elementary Youth:
For our Preschool-Elementary Classes, kids learn the Gospel through age-appropriate games, interactive lessons, coloring, music, and video accompaniments.
We are beginning a new Cokesbury Curriculum entitled Big Faith, which is designed around four Big Faith ideas: Faith in God (each fall), Faith in Community (each winter), Faith in Jesus (each spring), and Faith in Action (each summer).
Big Faith is an interactive journey that invites children to explore their faith in the context of their everyday lives. Each session is designed to engage children in a faith concept, a Bible story, age-appropriate hands-on activities, and reflection sessions where they can share what they have learned with each other.
A Scope and Sequence will be available to parents on September 15th so that they can follow along and support the curriculum taught each Sunday.
- 4 years through Kindergarten – Ms. Tammy Tomazoli assisted by Ms. Jamie Lafferty
- 1st through 5th grade – Mrs. Marci Marshall and Mrs. Cheryl Sprague
Middle School and High School Youth:
Mr. Gary Sprague will facilitate the Middle School and Up class which will focus during the Fall season on “The God Who Created Us”, “The God Who Corrects Us”, and “The God Who Calls Us”, through the use of the publication The Rock by David Cook.
The book Learning to Study the Bible by L.J. Zimmerman will also be used as a resource and study guide. The Bible will be explored using the classic question: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?
All materials are provided.
- Youth – 6th Grade and up: Gary Sprague
Registration Forms
A requirement of our Safe Sanctuary Policy, registration forms are needed for each child or youth attending a Sunday School class. Registration forms can be obtained in the Narthex and turned in on the opening day of Sunday School or obtained and completed on the first day of Sunday School attendance. You may also register your child/youth using the digital form below.
Please complete one per student. Upon completion, this electronic form will be forwarded to our Christian Education Team for filing. Thanks for taking the time and making a significant investment in the life of your child!
Adult Sunday School Small Groups:
3 Adult Sunday School Class Offerings
Beginning September 15, 2024
9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
1.Seekers for Christ is facilitated by Wayne Smith – Conference Room
Wayne’s class has been working through the summer on a study of Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz and will begin a David Jeremiah study entitled “ The God You May Not Know.”
2. Inquirers Class facilitated by Winnie Hurd – Room 108
At the opening session on September 15, 2024, the Inquirers Class will view and discuss a sermon by the late Bishop John Shelby Spong. This Sermon is an example of reading the Gospel of John in a historical and metaphorical context rather than literally, which is the style of progressive theology.
On September 15th, we will also select the next area of study from the library of resources at our disposal. The Inquirers Class encourages the exchange of thoughts and experiences and examines scripture through the lens of progressive Christian theology, especially as it pertains to social justice issues. The class is registered with Reconciling Ministries Network (rmnetwork.org) as a Reconciling Community, meaning that it welcomes and affirms LGBTQ+ persons in becoming and living authentic whole selves in a safe place.
3. X-Church X-Plore Small Group – facilitated by Rev. Jake Steele – Family Room
Are you wanting a deeper faith connection and a better understanding of discipleship? Are you curious about what it means to be a United Methodist? How are we similar or different from other faith traditions? Do you want to know what being a member of this church is about? Do you have more questions about “church” than you have answers? This small group setting promises to be an insightful next step.
JOIN US! Sunday Evenings, Nov 3rd-24th, 5:00 pm-6:30 pm in the Family Room. Sign-up sheets are located on both Sanctuary and Chapel bulletin boards or call the church office at 304-242-2455. We hope to see you there!
4. Fall Short Term Book Study – facilitated by Diann Nickerson – 3rd Floor
The Amen Effect : Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and the World by Sharon Brous
This inspiring book about the power of community is based on a sermon from one of the country’s most prominent rabbis. The book helps make the case that our spiritual work is to find our way to one another, and we do that through celebration, sorrow, and in solidarity. We are expected to show up for each other in moments of joy and pain, vulnerability, and possibility and to invest in relationships based on shared purpose to build caring communities. The book explores our most basic instinct – the yearning for real connection.
“I invite you to join us for this short-term study during the Sunday School hour. Each week, we will read a chapter outside of class and then discuss it during our meeting time – Sundays at 9:45 in the upstairs adult Sunday School room.”
– Diann Nickerson
Outline for Study:
September 15 Introductions, Chapter 1 – “Show Up”
September 22 Chapter 2 – “Please, Hold On”
September 29 Chapter 3 – “See No Stranger”
October 6 Chapter 4 – “Come Live”
October 13 Chapter 5 – “Grieve and Live”
October 20 Chapter 6 – “Hold the Healers”; Chapter 7 – “Bear With-ness”
October 27 Chapter 8 – “Wonder”